Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole - Dinner in 321 (2024)

With just 10 minutes to prep and 1 dish to clean, this quick Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting, easy dinner using just 8 simple pantry ingredients. It's perfect for a busy weeknight all year round.

At over 18 million views and countless 5 star reviews, this cozy weeknight casserole was my most popular recipe on social media for 2023. This perfect weeknight casserole is so easy to make, all of the ingredients are mixed together in one baking dish--it's truly easy dinner perfection!

After the success of my Queso Chicken and Rice, I was excited to try this new version by switching up just a few of the ingredients. Broccoli + cheese and chicken + rice = Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole was born! It's simple, quick-to-make, and pure comfort food!

Why You'll Like This Recipe

• Minimal Prep Easy Recipe: Other than the dish you season your chicken on, this whole cheesy casserole can be mixed up in the dish you bake it in!
• Comfort Food Win: An easy casserole recipe is always a great go-to when you're craving comfort food. This blend of flavorful rice, chicken, broccoli, and cheese will hit the spot!
• Simple Ingredients: The convenience of pre-seasoned rice, canned condensed cream of chicken soup, and broth makes this a quick to assemble meal. You can also use homemade substitutions as noted under "Tips and Substitutions."

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Rice Sides: A pre-seasoned cheesy rice blend that serves as the primary carbohydrate and a filling component.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture to the casserole, preventing it from being too dry. The broth also infuses additional flavor.
• Cream of Chicken: Acts as a binding and flavorful element. The condensed soup not only adds creaminess but also helps bring all the ingredients together.
• Frozen Chopped Broccoli: Adds a vibrant green color, a fresh and slightly crisp texture, and a nutritious component to the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds a rich and cheesy flavor to the casserole. Cheddar cheese also contributes to the creaminess of the dish when melted. Mild, medium or sharp cheddar cheese as well as Colby or Colby Jack work great!
• Chicken: Provides a protein-rich element to the casserole, making it more hearty and delicious!
• Garlic Powder: Provides depth and savory notes to the casserole.

Tools You’ll Need

• 13”x9” Baking Dish or Casserole Dish

How to Make Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole

1. The beauty of this recipe is that you can mix everything directly in the baking dish! Combine both rice packets, broth, cream of chicken, water, some cheese, and broccoli in your pan.

2. MAKE SURE your chicken is not thicker than ½-inch. Thicker than this can yield undercooked meat at the end of the bake time. Filet or cut the thighs or breasts into cubes if necessary. Season the meat on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Nestle the seasoned protein into the rice in one even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top.

3. TIGHTLY cover the dish with aluminum foil. This is important so that the steam doesn’t escape. Bake the casserole at 350°F for 1 hour, then remove the foil and cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the top is slightly browned.

What Goes With Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole

Adding a colorful side dish is ideal for this delicious casserole. The wholesome, rich flavors of the rice and cheese go perfectly with fresh vegetables. Some yummy sides to serve it with are:

• Glazed Carrots
• Easy Cooked Vegetables
• Garlic Green Beans
• Grilled Veggie Kabobs
• Green Bean Salad

Tips and Substitutions

• Lock in the Steam: It is important that the pan is SECURELY covered with the foil. The steam must be captured in order for the rice to cook properly.
• Par-Cooked the Chicken: Searing the meat first 1-2 minutes per side in oil in a skillet over high heat is optional. The bake time should be about the same or 5-10 minutes less.
• Pre-Cooked Chicken: You can also make this using cooked leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. Simply use 2 ½-3 cups of protein, increase the water from ½ cup to 1 cup (or broth), either microwave the frozen broccoli 5 minutes or substitute with fresh broccoli, and adjust the bake time to 30-35 minutes. The rice will still be tender with this cooking method.
• Chicken Cut Success: Swap thighs for chicken breasts or tenders if you prefer white meat. The chicken shouldn't be thicker than ½-inch. If the pieces are too big, it will not be cooked through in the specified time. If your meat needs additional cook time, simply recover and bake an additional 5-15 minutes or until and internal temperature of 165ºF is met.
• Don’t Prepare The Rice Beforehand :Whichever chicken cut you choose or whether it's with the pre-cooked, pre-seared, or raw cooking method chosen, the rice will cook in a minimum cook time of 30 minutes.
• Homemade Cream of Chicken: You can substitute cream of chicken Campbell's soup with this homemade version:
  • Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in ⅓ cup all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in ⅓ cup milk and ⅓ cup chicken broth until well combined. Season with ¼ teaspoon onion powder and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes or until thickened and creamy.
• Knorr Rice Substitute: You can substitute rice packets with 1 ¼ cups rinsed long-grain white rice or 1 cup brown rice. You might want to add seasonings such as salt, garlic and/or onion powder. The packets also boost the cheesy flavor, so consider adding more cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese.

Storing Cheddar Broccoli Chicken and Rice

Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool to room temperature before storing. Transfer to an air tight storage container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Beyond this time, the quality may start to decline.

Freezing: Ensure that the casserole is completely cooled before freezing. Use a freezer-safe, airtight container or heavy-duty aluminum foil to wrap the casserole. The casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating: If the casserole is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This ensures more even reheating. Reheat the casserole in a preheated oven (covered with foil to prevent drying) at 350°F for 20-30 minutes or in the microwave. Ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

More Casserole Recipes Like This

• Cheesy Chicken and Rice
• Queso Chicken and Rice
• Southwest Queso Chicken and Rice
• French Onion Chicken and Rice

More Dinner